Magic center Dwight Howard apparently likes to spit on the basketball before opponents attempt foul shots.

Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote on Monday that Howard asked the referee for the ball on Saturday night every time a Warriors player stepped to the charity stripe.

Howard would take the ball, spit on it and flip it back to the referee.

"I'm just blowing on it," Howard said after the game with a smile when asked about it. "I'm putting a spell on them."